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December 11, 2008 #3,422 Editor-Barry Block, DPM, JD

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MO Podiatrist Played Role in Olympic Silver Medal

Dr. H. John Visser, a local podiatric surgeon with Mid-West Podiatry & Associates, is one reason Olympian Shawn Crawford was able to win the silver in Beijing last summer. Crawford — a gold medalist in the men's 200-meter in Athens in 2004 — wound up with nagging foot injuries that largely grounded him during the '05 and '06 seasons. Last year, he was referred to Visser and had surgical reconstruction of both feet.

Dr. H. John Visser

From that position, Crawford went on to finish second in the men's 200-meter at the 2008 U.S. Olympic Trials — under the direction of coach Bob Kersee. He later won the silver, finishing second to Jamaican sprinting phenom, Usain Bolt.

Source: Deb Peterson, St. Louis Post-Dispatch [12/10/2008]

Western University Podiatry Gets WASC Approval

Implementation of degree programs at three colleges scheduled to open at Western University of Health Sciences next fall has been officially approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC). The colleges of dental medicine, optometry and podiatric medicine, which will welcome their inaugural classes in August 2009, received notice Monday that the WASC Accrediting Commission for Senior Colleges and Universities had authorized “substantive change implementation” requests made by the University.

“To receive final WASC approval of our substantive change proposals for these three new colleges represents a strong vote of confidence in our mission, our philosophy and in our ability to implement our strategic planning,” said Dr. Philip Pumerantz, president of Western University of Health Sciences. “This accomplishment is a tribute to the skill and dedication of our professional staff.”

Query: Pain Sub 5th Met Bases

I have a 17 year old female patient who has pain on ambulation at both 5th met bases. This has been worsening for about 6 months. On exam, she has prominent tuberosities, with pain on palpation. There is no pain to the peroneal tendons. X-rays are unremarkable except for met-adductus of about 30 degrees. Her history is remarkable only for her short stature for which she received HGH until last year. A course of naproxen, ice/heat, and padding provided no relief. Does anyone have any experience with a similar situation and if so, how did you treat it short of aggressive met osteotomies?

Doug Smith, DPM, Raleigh, NC

RE: Natural-looking Hallux Prosthesis (Sharon I. Monter, DPM)
From: Ira Weiner, DPM

Amputation of Hallux (Subject of query)

I had a friend who lost one of her toes after a failed surgery performed many years previously. I had seen a special on a gentleman named Robert Barron in Virginia whose expertise as a disguise specialist led him to become a prosthetist after retirement.

Apparently the technique was to create a digit which attached to the adjacent toe with a "toe ring" and spirit gum. Color matching, nail polish, and hair growth is matched perfectly. Custom Prosthetic Designs, Inc., 20608 Gordon Park Square, Suite 150 Ashburn, Virginia 20147, 703-723-4668, cpdrbarron@prosthesis.com

Ira Weiner, DPM, Las Vegas, NV, vegasfootdoc2005@yahoo.com

RE: Latest Research on Subtalar Joint Axis Location (Kevin A. Kirby, DPM)
From: Simon Young, DPM, Dennis Shavelson, DPM

Bravo. It is great seeing new research which can help us utilize biomechanical principles in our daily lives. This will help us understand pedal pathology better and help in guiding us to fabricate a more appropriate orthotic devices which will result in better patient outcomes.

JAPMA published an article, although supported by a lab, which showed that custom-molded orthotics reduced our energy consumption during gait.

Simon Young DPM, NY, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

I read with great anticipation Dr. Kirby's posting announcing “some recent research that may greatly change the way we view the forces and moments that affect foot and lower extremity function” until I realized that it was authored by HIM! For years, I have had difficulty understanding what Kevin is saying. I have debated his STJ Sagittal Axis Theory vs. my Neoteric Biomechanics Theory, stating that his theory required engineering and research skills that mainstream podiatry doesn’t possess.

Of my theory, he wrote that “your approach of foot biomechanics may suit many podiatrists very well and may allow them to progress to a better understanding of foot and foot orthosis function that they may not have been able to achieve otherwise” and then added, “You may use that quote as long as you use it along with my other quote, "Unfortunately, I see your model as a throwback to the Root model that I have worked so hard to get the profession to move away from for the past quarter century. Therefore, I simply don't see much benefit taking podiatrists back a step or two in sophistication, when they should rather be keeping more in step with the mainstream international biomechanics community and their prolific research on foot and lower extremity function."

I read Dr. Kirby's article and for a moment, considered applying to a fellowship at The Penn State Biomechanics Lab but I had charts to fill out, pre-certs to dictate and call in, and toenails waiting to be cut in the next room. I will let the profession decide which way to go when looking for a new paradigm of biomechanics, upgrading and expanding Root or Dr. Kirby’s.

Dennis Shavelson, DPM, NY, NY, Drsha@foothelpers.com

RE: Persistent Pain and Numbness in Foot (Barry Mullen, DPM)
From: David Zuckerman, DPM

Editor's note: Dr. Zuckerman's extended-length note appears at: http://www.podiatrym.com/letters2.cfm?id=23538&start=1

RE: HMOitis (Vito J. Rizzo, DPM)
From: Pat Caputo, DPM, Simon Young, DPM

I feel the same frustration as Dr Rizzo, but disagree with his solution. "This solution already exists. The program we are looking for is Medicare for All Americans. Eliminate all the for-profit insurance companies from the equation."

Unfortunately, Medicare for All will still NOT be taking insurance companies out of the equation, as they will no doubt exist as 3rd party administrators or they will "buy" the insureds from Medicare. They already are in many Medicare HMOs.

Pat Caputo, DPM, Holmdel, NJ, pat_caputo@alumni.rutgers.edu

I disagree with Dr. Rizzo. Legislators don't want change. If they did change, what would've happened? I went to legislators in my home and office districts. When confronted, they related that they can't do anything because the insurance lobby is too strong and has a large influence. To succeed, we need a concerted effort from all our members, locally and nationally, and if possible, recruiting allopathic colleagues. This is why we must all contribute to our state and national PACs.

Simon Young, DPM, NY, NY, simonyoung@juno.com

GIVING AWAY PRACTICE – DALLAS, TX

Great opportunity 20 minutes south of Dallas. New Office and new equipment to doctor at no cost. I need to find someone to take over this office. No associates - you will own this office. Please reply to flyingdpm@hotmail.com

PRACTICE FOR SALE - CENTRAL/SOUTH FLORIDA

Turn-key operation grossing $570,000 annually based on one full-time doctor. Great opportunity for growing the top-line. Surgery is only 14% of the professional man-hours; it can significantly increase income. Medicare makes up 64% of revenues. Seller will assist with transition. Call 863-688-1725, ask for Lee.

PRACTICE FOR SALE – CONNECTICUT

Well-established. Grossing 200K; Norwalk/Westport CT. Dr. recently deceased. High Volume Medicare ; NO BROKERS; Please email: berist92@gmail.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION- BALTIMORE, MARYLAND

Busy practice in the Pikesville/Owings Mills area located in 1st class medical building seeks motivated individual to work PART-TIME. Must be surgically trained. Must have a great personality and a good sense of humor. State-of-the-art office with hospital-grade ASC. Good mix of general podiatry, sports medicine and surgery. Competitive salary. Benefits for malpractice and health insurance allowances are available and negotiable. Please forward your CV by fax to 410-602-9781 or by email at mwaiken@comcast.net

ASSOCIATE POSITION - CHICAGO AREA

Join one of the most successful, long-established podiatry practices in the Chicago area, with excellent salary and benefits. We have an immediate opening for part-time podiatrist in a multi practice location in Chicago. Must have two years of surgical residency. Please e-mail resume to f-massuda@footexperts.com

ASSOCIATE POSITION - GEORGIA

A wmell-established practice in South Georgia seeks a full time PSR-24/36 trained podiatrist. Excellent benefit package. Please send CV to agriffin@southernpodiatry.com. For more information, visit our website

NEW YORK COLLEGE OF PODIATRIC MEDICINE REUNIONS

The Alumni Association of the New York College of Podiatric Medicine is interested in assisting any classes celebrating significant reunions next year, e.g. the Class of 1984 (25th reunion), the Class of 1989 (20th), the Class of 1994 (15th), and the Class of 1999 (10th) for all classes interested in a reunion, now is the time to act. For example, you may wish to have an event during the upcoming New York Clinical Conference, which is convenient and widely attended. Please contact Howard Rusk, Jr., Director of Alumni Relations, at hrusk@nycpm.edu He will gladly help plan and coordinate all your reunion activities.

ASSOCIATE - METRO NEW YORK--LONG ISLAND & NEW YORK CITY

Excellent Opportunity for immediate partnership with established practice. Excellent Salary arrangement, serious inquiries only. Send CV along with response. E-mail: rrranch7@yahoo.com

PODIATRISTS NEEDED - CHICAGO -- NW IND & BALTIMORE/WASHINGTON, DC

Home Physicians, a medical group specializing in house calls is looking to hire podiatrists in Chicago, Northwest Indiana, and Baltimore, MD. Full and part-time positions are available. Competitive Compensation including malpractice. Contact Scott Schneider. Phone-773-342-4201 FAX 773-486-3548-E-Mail sschneider@homephysicians.com Visit our website

NJ PODIATRY PRACTICE WANTED

Two eager podiatrists are looking to acquire another podiatric practice in New Jersey. Not interested in a partnership, just a complete buy out. The practice must be participating with Aetna. If interested, please call (917) 301-1919 or e-mail at NJFootDoc@hotmail.com

ASSOCIATE MONTANA

Great opportunity for a PSR-24 or 36 residency trained individual to join a dynamic two doctor group with physical therapy. Needs good FF surgical skills, RF a bonus. Beautiful office and great area of the country for outdoor recreation minded individuals. Opportunity for partnership after employment. Reply to: jclough@sofast.net

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